Chicago White Sox acquire Vieira from Mariners to bolster bullpen
When the Chicago White Sox acquired Cuban outfielder Luis Robert in May, the $26 million signing bonus left them with little money to add more international players in the next two periods.
With that in mind, the Sox on Thursday acquired minor-league pitcher Thyago Vieira from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for international signing bonus pool money.
A hard-throwing reliever, Vieira appeared in 1 game for the Mariners last season, pitching a perfect inning of relief in his major-league debut.
The 24-year-old Brazil native combined to go 2-4 with a 4.00 ERA and 4 saves in 41 minor-league appearances with Class AA Arkansas and AAA Tacoma. The right-hander had 46 strikeouts in 54 innings.
Seattle's No. 8 prospect according to MLB.com, Vieira pitched for the World Team at the All-Star Futures Game in Miami and didn't allow a run in two-thirds of an inning. He also pitched for Team Brazil in the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
White Sox general manager Rick Hahn traded relief pitchers David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle, Anthony Swarzak, Dan Jennings and Tyler Clippard last season, and Zach Putnam, Nate Jones and Jake Petricka went down with injuries.
Vieira was added to the Sox's 25-man roster and should compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.